Best books on traditional building methods and joints?

**fudo133** · 12th February 2013, 02:03 AM

Hello everyone, i've always been interested in Japanese carpentry and joinery, but over the last year or so in particular i've taken a real liking to traditional farmhouse construction...with a view to potentially trying to help restore one a friend of mine has owned for quite a few years but hasn't had much a chance to do anything with. of course were i to actually do it, i'd be doing a lot of volunteer work on other old homes to start off with and while i was working on her house, but in the meantime i've been thinking it might be a good idea to become more familiar with the kinds of joints, foundations, roofing methods and general building construction methods i'd be likely to encounter.

With that in mind, can anyone recommend some good books to help get me more acquainted with what fate and the dilapidated structure gods might have in store? I'm mainly looking for books that deal with residential machiya and minka buildings as opposed to temple joinery, but if anyone can name some good books dealing with that as well i'll definitely look into them, ones that go into foundations in depth would also be very much appreciated.

Some decent books on thatching, traditional japanese tiling or shingling would also not go astray

I hope that list of subjects i'm looking for information on doesn't sound too idealistic, self centered, convoluted or generally arrogant and thank you in advance to anyone who's taken the time to read through it all!

**yojimbo** · 13th February 2013, 01:40 AM

Hi, fudo,

I have an excellent book (which I cannot at the moment find [!]) called "Measure and Construction of the Japanese House." It includes architectural drawings with details about traditional Japanese houses, and I used it in designing and construction of my own workshop.

You can find it here:
Measure and Construction of the Japanese House (Contains 250 Floor Plans and Sketches Aspects of Joinery): Heino Engel: 0676251814927: Amazon.com: Books

Hope this helps.

**fudo133** · 13th February 2013, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by yojimbo

Hi, fudo,

I have an excellent book (which I cannot at the moment find [!]) called "Measure and Construction of the Japanese House." It includes architectural drawings with details about traditional Japanese houses, and I used it in designing and construction of my own workshop.

You can find it here:
Measure and Construction of the Japanese House (Contains 250 Floor Plans and Sketches Aspects of Joinery): Heino Engel: 0676251814927: Amazon.com: Books

Hope this helps.

I've heard of it, but up till now i hadn't heard much about what it was like contents wise

I'll definitely look into buying a copy
Any chance of sharing some photos of your workshop for a little inspiration/joinery ####?

**Sheets** · 13th February 2013, 03:37 AM

Two instructional books I have are:

"Japanese Joinery (A Handbook for Joiners and Carpenters)", by Yasuo Nakahara. Lots of illustrated joints and examples of use in Japanese houses
Amazon.com: Japanese Joinery: A Handbook for Joiners and Carpenters (9780881790016): Yasuo Nakahara: Books and,

"Japanese Woodworking (A Handbook of Japanese Tool Use and Woodworking Techniques)", by Hideo Sato. More emphasis on tools and general woodworking, but also includes application of joinery in housing as well.
The Complete Japanese Joinery: Hideo Sato, Yasua Nakahara, Koichi Paul Nii: 9780881791211: Amazon.com: Books

I also have "A Japanese Touch for Your Home", by Koji Yagi. This is more inspirational illustrated examples of Japanese houses and their elements, than a "how to" manual, but I find very useful in seeing the application (although the joinery is hidden, you can see where the various types would be used) and gain an overall sense of both proportion and finished result (remembering, what you see as well as how it makes you feel, is very important to the Japanese - as it is to most people, although not everyone appreciates the Japanese aesthetic).
A JAPANESE TOUCH FOR YOUR HOME: Koji Yagi, Photo Illustrated: Amazon.com: Books

Steve

**yojimbo** · 13th February 2013, 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by fudo133

I've heard of it, but up till now i hadn't heard much about what it was like contents wise

I'll definitely look into buying a copy
Any chance of sharing some photos of your workshop for a little inspiration/joinery ####?

I'll try and get to that in the next couple of days -- probably not 'til Thursday. Hectic around here.

**yojimbo** · 13th February 2013, 04:12 AM

Sheets -- yes! Excellent books, both.

**Sheets** · 13th February 2013, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by yojimbo

I'll try and get to that in the next couple of days -- probably not 'til Thursday. Hectic around here.

Needs time to tidy up - wouldn't want to get a stain on the reputation

**yojimbo** · 13th February 2013, 04:49 AM

Originally Posted by Sheets

Needs time to tidy up - wouldn't want to get a stain on the reputation

Hah! The place is a dump right now.

No, I'll be posting photos from when it was first built and nice and tidy.

**markinoz** · 13th February 2013, 08:59 AM

another book; "the art of japanese joinery" by kiyosi seike. for the beginner really - plenty of photos, drawings and explanations.

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